Cougars win thriller over Camden in double overtime

The Cougars' first game this year in the Virginia B. Whitaker Invitational was one that will be remembered for a long time. The Cougars won 72-70 in double overtime, improving their record to 4-0.

The first quarter was tightly contested, serving as a good indicator for the rest of the game. Marc Schlessel ('12) started off with a bang for the Cougars, draining a three to start the scoring. Camden then went on a 9-0 run to take a 9-3 lead before Schlessel hit another three to pull the Cougars within three. The scoring continued to go back-and-forth throughout the quarter, but Camden emerged with an 18-16 lead heading into the second.

The Cougars played a strong second quarter, as Gary Hettinger ('13) and Jake Gurkin ('12) chipped in five points apiece to lead the Cougars in scoring for the quarter. A Jake Silpe ('15) three capped the quarter, giving the Cougars a 29-25 lead at the half.

The Cougars extended their lead in the second half, as Hettinger and Schlessel combined for 14 of the Cougars' 20 third quarter points. However, the Cougars could not completely shake off Camden as they remained in the game, down 49-42 heading into the fourth.

Obviously, Camden made a run at the Cougars in the fourth quarter. The Cougars held a seven point lead halfway through the quarter at 59-52 until Camden went off on an 8-0 run to take a one-point lead. After the run, the Cougars needed points as time was ticking off the clock. Schlessel once again came through, draining a floater and getting fouled to give the Cougars a one-point lead. He converted the free throw to give the Cougars the 62-60 lead with 32.2 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Camden hit a two-pointer to tie the game. The Cougars failed to score on their next possession, enabling Camden the opportunity to take the last shot to potentially win the game. Camden traveled with .07 seconds left, giving the Cougars faint hope to win the game in regulation. A last second heave from the corner rimmed out as the game would go to overtime.

Schlessel started off overtime with a bang, draining a three on the first possession. Camden then hit one of two free throws on each of their next two possessions to trim the lead to one. Gurkin then hit a free throw of his own to bring the lead back to two. Camden then hit one more free throw to once again bring the lead back to one. The Cougars extended the lead back to three with a Gurkin layup, but Camden came right back by scoring, getting fouled and converting the free throw to tie the game. The Cougars had an opportunity to win the game with 2.5 seconds left in the extra session but failed to do so, so the game went into double overtime with a score of 68-68.

In the second four-minute overtime period, neither team scored for the first 1:20 until Camden registered the first points with 2:40 left to take a 70-68 lead. Schlessel then continued the theme of the game as he came up with a clutch three to give the Cougars a slim lead at 71-70. Point Guard Jesse Gold ('12) ultimately stole the ball from Camden and was fouled with .04 seconds left. Gold hit a free throw for the game's final points to give the Cougars the 72-70 win.

Player of the Game: Schlessel. He was 5-12 from beyond the arc on the game on his way to scoring 29 points and he hit what proved to be the game-winning shot in double overtime to give the Cougars the victory.

Key Stats

Schlessel-29 points, 4 steals

Gold-12 assists

Gurkin-14 points, 7 rebounds

Hettinger-13 points

Silpe-13 points